Singapore's first World Cup referee George Suppiah dies
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Former World Cup referee George Suppiah at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Mr Suppiah, who made history as Singapore's World Cup referee, died early on Friday morning after a long battle with diabetes. -- PHOTO: GEORGE SUPPIAH FAMILY
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Mr George Suppiah (seated), a referee at the 1974 World Cup, and Mr Jeffrey Goh, a referee at the 2010 edition of the tournament, were honoured at the Singapore Football Referees Association's 60th anniversary bash on 20 Oct 2010. -- ST PHOTO : TUKIMAN WARJI
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Former referee George Suppiah, who lost two toes a few years ago, relaxing at home. He usually listens to the radio and reads. -- ST PHOTO : ASHLEIGH SIM
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National Football League Clubs seminar - first day. George Suppiah, chairman of the Football Referees' Association of Singapore at the seminar. -- ST PHOTO : WAN SENG YIP
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World Cup referee, George Suppiah wanted a memorable finish to his 25-year career as a soccer referee and he almost got more than he had bargained for. Rough play almost turned the Singapore versus Australia international match into shambles. -- ST PHOTO : YOW YUN WOH
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George Suppiah, Singapore's only World Cup referee was given the honour to referee the celebrity match of 40 ex-intenationals to commemorate the closure of Jalan Besar Stadium in 2005. -- ST PHOTO : ENRIQUE SORIANO
Former World Cup referee George Suppiah at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Mr Suppiah, who made history as Singapore's World Cup referee, died early on Friday morning after a long battle with diabetes. -- PHOTO: GEORGE SUPPIAH FAMILY
Mr George Suppiah (seated), a referee at the 1974 World Cup, and Mr Jeffrey Goh, a referee at the 2010 edition of the tournament, were honoured at the Singapore Football Referees Association's 60th anniversary bash on 20 Oct 2010. -- ST PHOTO : TUKIMAN WARJI
Former referee George Suppiah, who lost two toes a few years ago, relaxing at home. He usually listens to the radio and reads. -- ST PHOTO : ASHLEIGH SIM
National Football League Clubs seminar - first day. George Suppiah, chairman of the Football Referees' Association of Singapore at the seminar. -- ST PHOTO : WAN SENG YIP
World Cup referee, George Suppiah wanted a memorable finish to his 25-year career as a soccer referee and he almost got more than he had bargained for. Rough play almost turned the Singapore versus Australia international match into shambles. -- ST PHOTO : YOW YUN WOH
George Suppiah, Singapore's only World Cup referee was given the honour to referee the celebrity match of 40 ex-intenationals to commemorate the closure of Jalan Besar Stadium in 2005. -- ST PHOTO : ENRIQUE SORIANO
George Suppiah, who made history as Singapore's World Cup referee, died early on Friday morning after a long battle with diabetes.
The 83-year-old former teacher, who was also Asia's first referee at the 1974 World Cup finals , died at 12.45am at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. His wife of 55 years, Vallambal, son Subra and daughter Shamini, were with him in his final moments.
"He was the perfect dad," Shamini told The Straits Times. "He was a soft-spoken family man who was always calm and dignified."
At the 1974 tournament in former West Germany, Mr Suppiah took charge of a first-round match between Poland and Haiti. He was also the linesman for the Sweden-Bulgaria and Holland-Brazil matchees.
